CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Threats of violence circulating online, and what appeared to be an inappropriate social media post prompted a decision to cancel games Thursday and bar spectators from attending Friday night’s match-up between Bishop England and Philip Simmons high schools.
Bishop England’s junior varsity and B-team games were canceled Thursday and the school announced that fans would not be allowed inside the stadium to watch the varsity game Friday night.
Principal Mary Anne Tucker said the decision was “out of an abundance of caution” amid concerns that have been shared on social media related to threats of violence and the “current climate between fan bases.”
School districts across the Lowcountry have been made aware of numerous social media posts threatening violence on campuses, which were widely circulated online. Many of those threats were unfounded.
Maria Aselage, a spokesperson for the school, later said several factors went into canceling those games and modifying Friday’s matchup – it included the circulating threats and an inappropriate social media post that was revealed to school administrators.